Friday, 28 February 2014

Hello Lovelies,
I feel a bit daft even sharing this strange little project of mine, let alone giving it it's own post. It's slightly odd, but I'll share it anyway.

Here goes.
Last week I was washing up an empty passata jar ( it's sieved tomatoes, brilliant in Bolognese ) when it struck me how similar the shape was to the old milk bottles we used to have when I was a child

An internet search turned up these pictures of the 70's milk bottles I was thinking of...........

Today people come to enjoy the grounds and remaining buildings which include this impressive estate church......

By the lake there are odd remains like this Gun Battery..........

It was not for real battles..........

As well as the remains of formal gardens there is wonderful mature woodland to explore.........

They were bathed in sunlight, streaming through the still bare trees.............

Over a little hill we came upon the lake again............we might as well walk around it as it doesn't look far......

When we saw this map we realised that we were just looking down the short top section..........

Oh well, best keep going. Past an intriguing tin building ...........

And where the water flows out of the lake, over the dam............

Oh, this is the full length of the lake...........you can just see the church spire on the right bank, we need to walk down the left bank to a bridge ..........

The boys were keen to stop for a break, but we pressed on until we were opposite the church. Hot milky coffee for the grown ups, hot chocolate and a cookie for the boys....very welcome.

It took us over an hour to get this far and I must say I was rather glad to reach the bridge......

My growing boys are increasingly reluctant to come on this sort of trip, I'm sure I felt the same at their age.
Thankfully Mr BM loves these places as much I do these days. He studies all he information boards, takes a keen interest in the history and enjoys the beautiful landscape. It balances out the general feeling of discontent coming from the younger members of the family and for that I'm very grateful.

We finally made it back to where we started at the visitor centre and I would have loved to spent more time here.

As you can see it was rather busy, I just took a couple of pictures.........

And headed off in search of yarn. Hubby took the boys back to the car and I promised not to be long.....

The walled kitchen garden at Clumber has gorgeous Glasshouses...........

With beautiful spring flowers...........

lovely rooms, showing where the gardeners came for a rest in years gone by..........

And a very colourful cow :0)........

Look, she is even wearing stripy leg warmers, wellies and a headband.

Hopefully you can read the information poster about this fun idea if you click on it to enlarge........

And here is what it looked like yesterday. The apple trees have been decorated with colourful knitting and crochet..........

I loved the granny squares..........

I also loved the quirky creatures.

a Tree Frog

A slightly scary snake

Ladybird and worm

Huge mouse

and a pretty sunflower.........

I thought it was a great idea to add interest at a time of year when the apple trees are bare and there is not much to see in the gardens...........

It's such a large area that you really had to get up close to the trees to appreciate the beautiful handiwork on display.

I think the many, many different types of apples were my favourite thing.

So I've made a mosaic of them to share with you....don't they look great...........

I need to say thanks to Lucy, as she posted a link to this event on her facebook page HERE
Enjoy your Sunday Lovelies.
Jacquie x